Book review: how the merchants of doubt undermine science
A book published seven years ago on the role of lobbyists fighting to discredit science has once again become highly relevant.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Peer Review
Displaying 1 - 20 of 55 articles
Incentives for academics can have unintended, negative consequences
More must be done to develop mechanisms based on intrinsic motivations of committed, quality academics. It's important to limit the harms currently being caused by rent seeking.
How a study about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was doctored, adding to pain and stigma
A study that suggested Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was more psychological than physical has been debunked. How did the data get doctored?
The peer-review system for academic papers is badly in need of repair
There are major systemic problems associated with peer review that are negatively affecting scientific credibility.
Why you should care about the rise of fake journals and the bad science they publish
Everything you need to know about predatory publishers.
How plugging into well-connected colleagues can help research fly
The scientific impact of a research paper increases with every additional commenter who provides feedback – particularly if the comment came from a well-connected academic.
Peer review is in crisis, but should be fixed, not abolished
The traditional mode of publishing scientific research faces much criticism – primarily for being too slow and sometimes shoddily done. Maybe fewer publications of higher quality is the way forward.
Brain training – why it’s no walk in the park
When research and commerce become entangled, consumers are the losers.
Scientists have much to gain by sharing their research with the public
There is mounting evidence to show scientists and researchers why public engagement is worth their while.
Here’s how competition makes peer review more unfair
Peer review is a crucial part of the academic publication system. It is also a critical part of the hiring and evaluation process. What's the problem with peer review?
The science of groundwater sampling needs a dose of honesty
Some water researchers are ignoring the evidence offered by sampling if it doesn't fit their preconceived notions. But science should always be honest and open.
Can the menopause really be reversed?
Researchers at a fertility clinic in Athens appear to have reversed the menopause in a small group of women – but will the science stand up to scrutiny?
Pressure to publish is choking the academic profession
The unavoidable regime of publication pervades contemporary academic life across the world. While presented as a virtuous thing, it can actually suffocate the academic profession.
Research fraud: the temptation to lie – and the challenges of regulation
A number of high-profile cases in which academics have fabricated their data points to a much larger problem around scholarly misconduct.
The logic of journal embargoes: why we have to wait for scientific news
Sometimes big research news bypasses the usual scientific publishing process. Here's why that's not good for scientists or the public.
Explainer: the ins and outs of peer review
Peer review is not infallible, but it's central to how science works. In this extract from Peter Doherty's new book, The Knowledge Wars, he explains how it works in practice.
Your Questions Answered on open access
To the mark the eighth annual Open Access Week, we asked our readers what they wanted to know about the initiative. Here are their questions with answers from our experts.
Publish or perish culture encourages scientists to cut corners
Researchers who feel pressured to publish in high ranking journals are more likely to cut corners, or even commit academic fraud.
Vanity and predatory academic publishers are corrupting the pursuit of knowledge
Why do predatory and vanity academic publishers and conferences exist? Why are they flourishing now? And what can they tell us about the failings of academia?
Trolling our confirmation bias: one bite and we’re easily sucked in
A recent hoax study suggesting chocolate helps people lose weight highlights many problems with the way science is conducted and reported by the media.
Top contributors
-
Senior Lecturer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
-
Lecturer in History of Medicine/Life Science, University of Melbourne
-
Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Cass Business School, City, University of London
-
Senior Lecturer, King's College London
-
Programme leader, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
-
Director, Australasian Open Access Strategy Group, Queensland University of Technology
-
PhD Candidate in Economics, University of Cape Town
-
Deputy Director, Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
-
Michael J. I. Brown is a Friend of The Conversation.
Associate professor, Monash University
-
Professor of Evolutionary Biology, University of Melbourne
-
Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
-
Senior lecturer in Marine Ecology & Head of Blue Carbon Lab, Deakin University
-
Professor of Nutrition, University of South Australia
-
ARC Future Fellow, Australian National University
-
Scientia Professor of Evolutionary Ecology; Academic Lead of UNSW's Grand Challenges Program; Director, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, UNSW
Most read on The Conversation
Eclipse of reason: Why do people disbelieve scientists?
Is the food industry conspiring to make you fat?
Fun sex is healthy sex: Why isn’t that on the curriculum?
How to kill fruit flies, according to a scientist
NAFTA talks see Trump in driver’s seat – and Canada at risk
Legal weed: An accidental solution to the opioid crisis?
An inconvenient truth about An Inconvenient Truth
Charlottesville: White educators need to fight racism every day
North Korea missile crisis echoes Israel’s anti-rocket strategy